Partner James M. Quigley is widely regarded as a highly-esteemed and experienced Illinois Divorce/Family Law attorney and litigator. Mr. Quigley has successfully tried complex financial, custody, removal and other contested cases in Cook, Lake, DuPage, and other counties throughout the state of Illinois, since 1992.
Quigley attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1989. James originally hoped to combine his love of sports and his gift of gab in becoming a sports broadcaster, until he decided to pursue his passion for debate and pursuit of a law degree.
Upon completing his undergraduate studies at the University Wisconsin–Madison, James enrolled at DePaul University, College of Law, in Chicago, Illinois, where he received his Juris Doctorate (JD) in May of 1992. James then sat for the Illinois State bar exam in July 1992, and after successfully passing the Illinois State bar exam, was licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois in November 1992.
Mr. Quigley’s emphasis on education has continued throughout his career. Mr. Quigley has continued to lecture on a variety of legal topics at seminars sponsored by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), The Lake County Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, IICLE and elsewhere. Additionally, Mr. Quigley helped co–teach a divorce trial skills course with his partner, Miles Beermann, at DePaul University College of Law, where he earned his law degree.
While James is recognized for his practical approach to dispute resolution in divorce and family law matters, his reputation has been built upon, and grown out of his trial advocacy and litigation skills in the courtroom. James combines an insatiable competitive spirit and fearless approach, with a willingness to litigate any divorce or family law matter when necessary to protect his client’s rights under the law. Paramount to James’ success as a trial lawyer is his uncanny ability to quickly assess any situation and develop and implement a successful strategy tailor-made to the individual client’s needs and desired outcome.
James founded Beermann’s Family Law Sports and Entertainment Division, which was born out of Mr. Quigley’s representation of a wide array of professional athletes, entertainers and other high-profile individuals such as Chicago Bulls legend, Michael Jordan, R&B artist, R. Kelly and others. James identified the specialized and particular needs of individuals in this arena and has formed a practice group within the firm that addresses the unique aspects of these cases. James strives to utilize the same level of discretion necessary for his high profile or celebrity clients, to all of his clients, regardless of their profession, as he understands the very personal nature of divorce and family law matters.
James M. Quigley is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). Fellows of the Academy concentrate their practice on all issues related to divorce and family law matters and are highly skilled negotiator’s and litigators who represent individuals in all facets of family law. Fellows of the AAML across the United States are generally recognized by judges and attorneys in the area of family law as having a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity. Membership in the AAML demonstrates recognition by one’s peers as being one of the best family law practitioners in Illinois. To be eligible for membership in the AAML, Mr. Quigley had to be in practice and admitted to the bar for at least 10 years and devote at least 75% of his practice to family law, pass a written national examination on wide ranging issues pertaining to matrimonial and family law, demonstrate involvement in the study and/or improvement matrimonial law, such as publishing articles or continuing education presentations, and then pass an oral examination by the local chapter. Mr. Quigley has served on the Board of Managers beginning in 2012.
Mr. Quigley served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the DePaul University College of Law – Family Law Center, where he attended law school and where he also assisted his partner, Miles Beermann in teaching a family law trial skills class. Mr. Quigley regularly lectures on a variety of family law and matrimonial matters as part of his continuing legal education.